Governor unveils
budget plan
Elton calls it "dramatic first step"
Juneau Senator Kim Elton calls the Governor's Alaska Balanced Budget Plan
unveiled in his speech last night (left) the most dramatic first step any
Legislature has heard from a Governor in a State of the State or Budget address. The
Governor's plan calls for transferring 400 billion dollars of unrealized Permanent Fund
earnings to the Constitutional Budget Reserve which will kick off 550 million dollars in
earnings each year. An income tax aimed at netting part of the wages earned by
non-residents is another part of his plan. The Knowles plan was in part inspired by one
devised by the Governor's friend, business partner, and former Alaska Permanent Fund
Executive Director Dave Rose a few years ago. Rose tells News of the North that the
Governor did not embrace those parts of his plan that called for capping dividends and
implementing a system of zero based budgeting. His plan did not call for reviving the
income tax which he dislikes. Rose has sent a copy of his plan to all 60 lawmakers so they
consider his blueprint along with the Governor's. Complete text of the Governor's address here.
Pearce, Porter want more
cuts, less taxes
In a response to the Knowles budget plan, Legislative Majority lawmakers applauded the
Governor for putting it forth, but both Senate President Drue Pearce and House Speaker
Brian Porter (both at right) want more cuts in spending. Porter envisions a plan
with additional reductions, coupled with less taxes and a softer impact on the Permanent
Fund.
Pro-choice vigil planned
The 26th anniversary tomorrow of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision granting women
abortion rights will be marked by the Juneau Coalition for Pro-Choice. A candlelight vigil
is planned on the steps of the State Capitol beginning at 4:30. A reception is planned
afterwards at the Fiddlehead Restaurant.
Juneau in the deep
freeze
"Baby
It's Cold Outside" would be a good theme song for the Capital City today with strong
northeasterly winds plunging temperatures well below zero when the chill factor is figured
in. A high wind watch was issued for tonight with gusts to 60 miles per hour in the
forecast, which could make windchill temperatures 30 to 60 degrees below zero in downtown
and Douglas. Forecasters expect the cold weather to hold for the next few days with snow
likely by the weekend.
Bader seeks to fulfill a
dream
Juneau School District Administrative Services Director Gary Bader says a goal he set for
himself about six years ago was to become a superintendent of schools. He has an excellent
chance of achieving that goal with Mary Rubadeau's announced retirement. The school board
decided to open negotiations with Bader after being informed by Rubadeau at Tuesday
night's meeting that she will retire. Bader doesn't envision a problem reaching a contract
agreement with the board.
Armlin holds hope for
CBJ meeting cablecasts
Tony Armlin of Ringer Graphics says he hasn't given up the possibility of broadcasting
Assembly meetings over public access television channels. The school board decided this
week to open
negotiations with Armlin's firm to broadcast the remaining meetings this
school year. He said on KINY's Capital Chat this morning that he believes the idea of
televised assembly meetings will be resurrected sometime in the future. Members of the
Juneau Public Access Television Group joined Armlin on Capital Chat today. Ringer Graphics
has organized a group of volunteers to provide local programming every Wednesday, Saturday
and Sunday evenings from 7 to 8 on Juneau public access channels two, four and six. One of
those programs is "Chicken Ridge Chat" produced by Mac Metcalfe which looks at
characters from Juneau's past. Local television viewers will eventually see a program
based on today's radio talk program. High School Sophomore Chase Shumway video taped the
program and other aspects of the operations at KINY and KSUP today. For a schedule of
public access programs, click here.
Couple busted for pot
Two Petersburg residents are facing drug charges after police in Haines discovered a
package of marijuana on a plane. Forty-one-year-old George Skeek and 30-year-old Janice
Skeek were arrested Saturday at their home in Petersburg. Investigators say information
connected with the package led them to the Skeeks. The evidence has been sent to the state
crime lab. The Skeeks face charges of misconduct involving a controlled substance.
First, First Lady in
gallery for Knowles speech
Governor Knowles made mention of Alaska's first, first lady during his
address to the Legislature last evening. Neva Egan was the wife of Alaska's first
governor, Bill Egan. She says Egan would have loved the speech delivered by Knowles last
night. Egan called for an increase in the income tax during one of his first speeches to
the Legislature. That was because transitional funds from the federal government to help
Alaska make the switch from territorial to state status were running out.
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